Betsy St. Cyr — Sanford's outgoing superintendent of schools and Acton's next one — is this year's parade grand marshal

By Ellen W. ToddSanford News Writer

Thursday

Jun 30, 2011 at 3:15 AM

SANFORD — Paradegoers will see a familiar face leading Sanford's Fourth of July parade this year — Betsy St. Cyr.

After leading the Sanford School Department's Special Education Department for 29 years and then taking over as Superintendent of Schools four years ago, St. Cyr will head up the annual parade on Monday, July 4.

"I'm thrilled that they chose me. It's an honor," St. Cyr said during an interview this week.

When she rides down Main Street on July 4, waving and greeting spectators, St. Cyr will actually no longer be Sanford's Superintendent of Schools, as she is retiring June 30. She'll have a new title, however, and a new challenge — St. Cyr recently signed a one-year contract to lead Acton's School Department as superintendent.

St. Cyr began her career in Sanford in 1972 as a learning disabilities specialist. Seven years later, in 1979, she was appointed director of special education for Sanford schools.

During her 29 years as special education director, she also served in various teaching and administrative capacities including: Title 1 director; director of Sanford's "English as a second language" program; homeless liaison; assessment coordinator; and grant manager for the federal "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) program.

During the 2004-05 school year, St. Cyr took on the responsibilities of school superintendent for seven months, serving as Sanford's interim superintendent, as well as special education director until July 1, 2005 when Jack Turcotte took the position.

When Turcotte stepped down at the end of the 2007-2008 school year, the school committee voted unanimously to appoint St. Cyr to the top position.

In January, she announced her intention to retire at the end of the current school year, citing her desire to "travel and enjoy the grandkids while we [she and her husband] still have our health."

St. Cyr is married to Fred St. Cyr, who was the director of the Sanford Regional vocational School (now the Sanford Regional Technical Center), until he retired 20 years ago.

As superintendent, St. Cyr worked hard to advance Sanford's proposal for a four-year vocational school. Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center placed second on the list of the Maine Department of Education's school construction priority list released in March.

St. Cyr agreed recently to take the position of school superintendent of schools in Acton — a two-day a week position. Acton Elementary School includes kindergarten through eighth grades and has 210 students. Sanford has worked closely with the Acton School Department, as most Acton students attend Sanford High School.

St. Cyr said she hopes the weather will be good for Monday's parade, as she is looking forward to riding in the convertible.

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